Planting for wellness at garden workshop

Volunteer Cecile Stewart-Hamilton instructed residents on pot planting during the Family Fruitful Gardening workshop at the Orchards Family Success Center on July 22.

Residents gathered in the community center’s workshop room, surrounded by pots, soil and plants as they sorted through an array of greenery to find what they liked best. After potting the plants, they got an instruction sheet for an herbal DIY activity to create a parsley and cinnamon liquid hand soap and body wash.

The instructions also provided information on gardening tips and botanical benefits.

Hamilton was pleased with the turnout and excited to lend her expertise on the uses of herbs.

“It’s a pleasure to do this gardening workshop here at the Orchards Family Success Center,” she said. “I enjoy gardening, and I enjoy teaching other people to learn about gardening.”

Resident Jamillah Chesson appreciates the center’s workshops and its variety of activities, all of which are free.

“This gardening event that they’re having today, I really appreciate it because I wanted to get more into gardening, especially since I just got a kidney transplant and I’m reclaiming my life,” she explained. “So now I can pretty much get my hands into the soil with gloves, of course, and my mask.”

“And it makes me feel ecstatic that I can eat better with my own food and learn how to grow my own food.”

Resident Audrey Battle admitted she was hesitant about growing herbs until she participated in the gardening workshop.

“Now I can grow herbs and also get a soap and body wash out of it that’s natural for my skin,” she noted. “Because I did have a skin irritation recently, allergic reactions. So if I had the soap that we’re gonna make, I probably would have cleared up sooner and not had to seek medical attention.”

“So I like that we can just get things from the Earth that God created and just heal our bodies in such a minor way,” Battle added, “but it means a lot when you take it from the earth, and it’s all organic.”